“It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.” ~ Rainer Maria Rilke
It is hard to be a weekend-only gardener of the Homeward Bound Memorial Garden. So much changes during the week at this time of year; I have to take time just to soak it up each Saturday morning when I return. It is amazing to see last year’s perennials push their way skyward once again as the garden reshapes itself after the long winter.
The Snapdragon, Iceland Poppies and tiny Viola flowers worried Ina – a horticulturist with a penchant for California natives. She thought they might be too grandmotherly…but I think they have won her over, begrudgingly.
The roses are beginning to bloom.
You wonder what weighs them down? The tiny frogs have already taking up residence!
The California Poppies have opened; their gold offers striking contrast to the Lavender backdrop.
Maria’s Herb Garden is already lush and new additions will quickly fill in any holes.
Ina has prepared all of her beds for the dry days ahead, tucking them in with a blanket of shreds.
Even the Killdeer are back…leaving their nest eggs smack in the middle of the dog park!
Maria is off on another adventure, which means that I was left unsupervised on Saturday. That always spells trouble – and planting! When we began the garden, each person had their own bed to do with as they pleased. The good news was that the work was divided up; the downside was that the garden felt a little disjointed. Now that our core group is a little smaller, we can “color outside the lines” a little. I planted two beds, bridging the Daylily bed to the Rose bed – and the Perennial bed to a tree circle garden, echoing the most drought tolerant plantings in each.
Ina thinks I’m nuts (again), but allows me to play as long as I steer clear of her beds!
With the “dorms” (aka “kennel”) full – the dog walkers arrived in force this weekend, allowing me to work without too much guilt. There were dogs everywhere…
and some happy “going homes” including the dog I wrote about last week; our other Daisy who had been returned for being a still rambunctious two-year old. This time, we found the perfect home where her youthful exuberance will be exhausted by an outdoor-loving and very active mom.
The world is right again.
Gardens For Goldens 
Frogs in roses – what a lovely surprise! Wish I was small enough to curl up in a sweet smelling rose.
What a lovely thought!
“When the cats away the mice will play”. Can’t wait to see the additions to the garden. Glad to hear the herb garden is sprouting forward. I’ll be back soon. Hold down the fort.
We will try! Please don’t get eaten by a lion on your adventures!
It is always a thrill to start my week off with your post. Daisy got a new home – yeah. And, I’ve never, ever seen frogs in roses. 🙂 The gardens look gorgeous but one question – how do you get all your plants?
Hi Judy…to start, many of our plants were donated by the gardeners and other kind souls. We’re at a point now where we can do a lot of divides, seeds and supplement with a few special irresistibles.
That the wonderful thing about perennials – they keep on giving year after year. 🙂
Beautiful, beautiful flowers. Wish we had just a few here in the northeast. So happy Daisy got her forever home. Thanks for starting my week off with a smile.
🙂
Hooray for Daisy! And the gardens look lovely.
Thanks…and yeah for Daisy!!
With four feet of snow still in my yard I just want to lay down there and not get up.
Oh…I’m sorry. We’ll be jealous of your melted snow soon, though! We’ll have a beautiful spring…but we might be looking a little sad by July and August!
I bow my head in respect to the common snapdragon – what glorious color and happy combination – thanks for all of your tremendous work, Oggie, I’m so grateful to be able to garden with you and Maria!
Right back at you, my friend! Love working with both of you.
Just beautiful.
The garden looks beautiful! Snapdragons are one of my favorite flowers – that first photo is a knockout! Yes, indeed, the world is right again 🙂